Every holiday, game day, food and drink day and back office deadline that matters in 2027, month by month, with what to do and when to start. Free to print or add to your own calendar.
By Rob Bruni, founder of OpsEdge Hospitality, twenty years running restaurants, bars, clubs and resorts. Updated November 2026.
Every date that moves sales, staffing or cash in a restaurant or bar in 2027, month by month: 88 holidays, game days, food and drink days and back office deadlines, with what to do each month and the guide that covers it. Filter it, print it, or add it to your own calendar.
Typical demand for a full service restaurant, on a five point scale. This is a common pattern, not data: a beach bar peaks in July and a ski town in January. Chart your own from last year's sales. Tap a month to jump to it.
Ten things that make 2027 different
The Super Bowl is on Valentine's DayFebruary 14. It has never happened before, and every dining room and bar has to choose a plan.
The tournament grows to 76 teamsTwelve Opening Round games on March 16 and 17 put basketball on St. Patrick's Day.
Easter is earlyMarch 28, on Elite Eight Sunday and before most patios open.
Baseball opens in MarchMarch 24 and 25, the earliest Opening Day ever, if a labor deal is reached.
Cinco de Mayo is a WednesdayA midweek night that sells like a weekend, four days before Mother's Day.
July 4 is a SundayObserved Monday, July 5, which makes a three day weekend.
The Women's World Cup is in BrazilJune 24 to July 25, with kickoffs in U.S. afternoon and evening hours.
Halloween is a SundayThe parties move to Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30.
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are FridaysTwo of the biggest nights of the year land on the best night of the week.
The title game is the latest everCollege football's championship is Monday, January 25.
Father's Day, Juneteenth, Pride, wedding season and the start of the Women's World Cup.
National Donut DayFood and drinkThe first Friday of June.
Estimated tax paymentBack officeSecond quarter.
U.S. Open golfSportsThursday through Father's Day Sunday.
Juneteenth observedHolidayJuneteenth falls on Saturday, June 19, so the federal holiday is observed on Friday.
Father's DayHolidaySteaks, burgers, beer and whiskey. A later, more casual crowd than Mother's Day.
FIFA Women's World Cup beginsSportsIn Brazil through July 25, so kickoffs suit U.S. afternoons and evenings. It streams on Netflix in the U.S.; check what you may show in a bar.
The 2027 Operator Wall Calendar keeps the whole year in front of the team, and the 2027 Restaurant Manager Planner gives every week a page for the numbers, the schedule and the follow ups.
Most holiday problems are timing problems. Work back from the date.
Event
Start planning
The first deadline
New Year's Eve
6 to 8 weeks
Format, price and deposits by mid November.
Super Bowl
4 weeks
Preorders open when the matchup is set, two weeks out.
Valentine's Day
4 to 6 weeks
Menu costed and reservations open by early January.
St. Patrick's Day and the tournament
3 to 4 weeks
Kegs ordered two weeks out.
Easter and Mother's Day
8 to 10 weeks
Format in February, book open six weeks out.
Patio season
6 weeks
Permits, repairs and hiring before the first warm weekend.
Graduations and weddings
3 to 6 months
Packages and contracts ready by January.
Holiday parties
4 months
Open the December book in August.
Thanksgiving
6 weeks
Preorder menu and cutoff date by mid October.
Next year's budget
3 months
Start in September, finish by Halloween.
The back office calendar
The dates that do not sell a single cover but cost real money when they are missed. Confirm every tax date with your accountant or payroll provider; state deadlines differ.
When
What
January 1 and July 1
Minimum and tipped wage changes in many states and cities. Florida changes on September 30.
February 1
W-2s and 1099-NEC forms to staff and contractors.
February 1, April 30, August 2, November 1
Quarterly payroll return (Form 941).
January 15, April 15, June 15, September 15
Estimated tax payments for most owners.
March 14 and November 7
Daylight saving time. Check time clocks and overnight shifts.
Every Monday
Last week's prime cost. The weekly routine takes twenty minutes.
For most full service restaurants: Mother's Day on May 9 and the Saturday before it, Valentine's weekend (February 13 and 14), New Year's Eve on Friday, December 31, Easter on March 28 and Father's Day on June 20. For bars: Thanksgiving Eve on November 24, St. Patrick's Day on March 17, the first Thursday and Friday of the basketball tournament on March 18 and 19, Halloween weekend and New Year's Eve.
When is the Super Bowl in 2027?
Super Bowl LXI is Sunday, February 14, 2027, with kickoff at 6:30 pm Eastern. It is the first Super Bowl played on Valentine's Day.
When is Mother's Day in 2027?
Sunday, May 9, 2027. Easter is March 28 and Father's Day is June 20.
How far ahead should a restaurant plan for a holiday?
Four to ten weeks for most holidays, and longer for anything that needs contracts. Open the Mother's Day book six weeks out, set New Year's Eve pricing by mid November, and start selling December holiday parties in August.
Can I add these dates to my own calendar?
Yes. Use the Add to my calendar button on this page to download a calendar file that opens in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook. Filter first to download only the kinds of dates you want.
Is there a printable version?
Yes. The Print button prints a clean version of this page. For the wall, the 2027 Operator Wall Calendar is in the shop.
